Microsoft’s Kin One and Two Are Coming Back to Verizon

Microsoft’s Kin was one of the biggest failures in the mobile industry this year, having been pulled after only three months on the market. Seeing both Kin One and Kin Two come back to Verizon’s inventory is definitely a surprise, but that’s exactly what’s happening, according to a leaked Verizon Q4 road map, unearthed by PPCGeeks.

Kin One and Kin Two are listed as feature phones in the Verizon road map, and will be coming without a data plan. Originally, both Kin phones had required smartphone-like data plans which, in the eyes of many users, were too steep for phones aimed primarily at teens and young adults.

The question is: are the Kins without a data plan interesting enough to make a successful comeback? Engadget has learned that Zune Pass will work over WiFi even if you’re not signed up for a proper data plan, but features such as unlimited photo uploads and Loop won’t be available.

Is Verizon really hoping to rekindle interest in the Kins, or is it just trying to clear its inventory? What do you think? How well will the Kins do when they return to the market? Please, share your opinion in the comments.